Author: Thinus Steyn

Jarred and Susan Rich, hunted with Big Water Safaris during August. The Californian couple, on their first African Safari had a successful hunt, bagging several trophies. Professional hunter: Mielie du Toit.

Californian hunter, Joshua Darnell hunted with Big Water Safaris during July, he had a most successful hunt. Professional hunter: Heinrich Funck.

Missourians Jim Mraz and Marlin Ferguson hunted with Big Water Safaris during July. This was Jim’s second hunt with us and Marlin’s first African hunt. Great trophies were harvested, the tigers were suitably fed, and a lot of fun was had by everyone involved. Professional hunter: Thinus Steyn.

North Carolinian, James Kent is no stranger to Big Water Safaris; this was his third hunt with us. Tristan accompanied his father on this hunt and did most of the hunting. It turned out to be a very successful hunt, Jim even got the baboon that has been eluding him during his previous hunt. Professional…

Our old friend, and Hungarian agent, Zoltan Gál brought over his first two groups of hunters for 2024 in May and June. Included in the second group were two German hunters. Professional hunters: Dewald Kearns, Mielie du Toit and Thinus Steyn.

Billy, Katie and Tab Terrell from Alabama, hunted with Big Water Safaris during May. They had a successful hunt and also went on a night hunt for predators with Heinrich Funck. Professional hunter: Dewald Kearns.

Our old friend Sean Nicke accompanied by his friend Patrick Benson, both hailing from Alabama, hunted with Big Water Safaris during May. This was Patrick’s first hunt with us, both hunters bagged good trophies, and a lot of fun was had by everyone involved. Professional hunter: Thinus Steyn

Callan Paytin from Nevada, USA and Rance Harmon from Idaho, hunted with Big Water Safaris during May 2024. It was the first African Safari for both of them. Good trophies were taken, meat for the South China tiger project was harvested and the duo also went on a night hunt for predators with Hein Funck….

Mark, Sarah and Fischer Abrams hunted at Big Water Safaris during May 2024. Mark is an experienced African hunter and young Fischer did most of the hunting on this trip. Fischer took several excellent trophies and also accompanied Hein Funck on a predator night hunt, helping to reduce the jackal population at Laohu Valley Reserve….

Ryan Soles from North Carolina, USA experienced his first African hunt with Big Water Safaris during this season. Ryan shared the camp with Jerry Nixon and also went on a night hunt for predators with Jerry and Hein Funck where he bagged a porcupine and several black backed jackal. We had a lot of fun…

Jerry Nixon from Virginia USA joined us for his fourth hunt with Big Water Safaris. An excellent shot, hunter and raconteur mister Nixon is a pleasure to hunt with and brightens up live at the lodge. Mr. Nixon took some excellent trophies and also went on a night hunt for predators with Hein Funck and…

Bruce Bettis and Doug Arens joined us for their second hunt with Big Water Safaris. The two hunters from Arizona had a successful hunt and took some excellent trophies. Professional hunter: Thinus Steyn.

Stephen brought his daughter Kendall with, on his second hunt at Big Water Safaris, the hunt was Kendall’s graduation present. Despite being only 17 years old, Kendall is an excellent shot and very calm, even under pressure. The father and daughter team from Alabama hunted some excellent trophies and provided fresh food for the tigers….

Father and son, Doug and Brad Ficken, hunted with Big Water Safaris during September 2023. Doug’s wife, Kim joined them as an observer. The Fickens are from Rapid City, South Dakota. Professional Hunters: Henno Cronje and Thinus Steyn.

Tommy and Melissa Copeland from North Carolina was our last hunters for the 2023 season. It was their first trip to Africa and they were very excited and, understandably, a little nervous. The trip almost started with disaster, Melissa tripped and fell at Bloemfontein airport. It later transpired that she broke two ribs but she…